Bottle holder and carrier



G. M. AcToN 2,535,114

BOTTLE HOLDER ANl'J CARRIER Dec. 26, 1950 Filed March 28. 1949 Gttornegs.

Dec. 26, 1950 G. M. AcToN Bo'M'LE HpLDER ANb CARRIER.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1949 (Ittomegs Patented Dec. 26, 1950 BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER Grant M. Acton, Arkansas City, Kans., assignor to Acton Manufacturing Company, Inc., Arkansas City, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application March 28, 1949, Serial No. 83,790

3 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle holders and carriers and more particularly to a device for holding and carrying bottles used for beverages s uch as soft drinks and the like, the principal object of the invention being to provide a bottle holder and carrier adapted for use with bottle handling machines such as automatic bottle case unloaders, and for transporting bottles of beverages as when carrying them from retail stores.

The present invention is an improvement over the structure shown in my copending application Serial No. 34,768 led June 23, 1948, now Patent No. 2,502,690, dated April 4, 1950, to provide a stronger, sturdier and` more efcient device for carrying and holding beverage bottles during transportation and use with automatic. machines in bottling plants.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a carrier with substantially plane side and end faces to eliminate projecting members which interfere with .placing a plurality of carriers in the usual wooden case which is minus the conventional separators, the absence of such projecting portions facilitating the removal of the carriers from said case, the bottles needing only to be removed from the carrier at the bottling plant and in the home for use; to provide a carrier of suitable material and adapted to be formed and assembled by stamping and pressing operaations into a reinforced rigid structure capable of continued use in automatic machines and for all transportation, storage and cooling of bottled beverage;to provide cooperating ribs and bosses in the bottle carrier to separate the bottles and prevent impact of any portions of adjacent bottles during the transportation or handling of same, particularly by automatic equipment; to provide a carrier and bail structure in which the bail is adapted for engagement with suitable holddowns on automatic bottle case unloaders to transmit pressure to the body of the carrier during removal of the bottles therefrom, said bail structure being simple and easily assembled and adapted for telescoping into the carrier allowing lled carriers to be stacked; to provide a carrierwith suitable apertures for quick and complete emptying of water from the carrier as it is lifted from a cooling container; and to provide a carrier consisting of relatively few pieces, that is quickly and easily manufactured and assembled into a compact, sturdy and efficient device for carrying and holding beverage bottles during transportation and use with automatic machines in bottling plants.

. In accomplishing these and other. objects of the iii) present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved bottle carrier.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the carrier taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3--3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the improved bottle carrier.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view through the upper edge of the carrier body and divider, particularly illustrating the fastening of the divider to the body Wall.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the body member after the blanking operation and prior to the forming or bending operation to complete same.

Referring more in detail to the drawings;

l designates a bottle carrier and holder generally consisting of a body member 2 and a top spacer 3. The body member is cut from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by suitable dies. The blank 4 as illustrated in Fig. 6 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and includes a central portion 5 which forms the bottom of the carrier delined by parallel longitudinal bend lines 6 and 1 and transverse bend lines 8 and 9,'said bottom being of suitable size to accommodate the desired number of bottles which in the illustrated structure is six, two rows in width and three rows in length. The blank is provided with notches I0 extending inwardly from the end edges Il and l2 of the blank and longitudinally thereof substantially in alignment with the bend lines 6 and 1, said notches terminating in semicircular ends I3 spaced inwardly relative to the bend lines 8 and 9 approximately one-fourth of the total length of the bottom member 5. The adjacent sides of the notches form the side edges M and i5 of end members It and il defined by the bend line 8 and end edge H and bend line 9 and end edge I2 respectively. The bend lines 6 and 'l are spaced from the side edges I8 and I9 of the blank to denne opposed side walls 2i) and 2l, coextensive with the bottom 5. The side walls have end 'portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 respectively defined by bend lines 2G, 2l, 28 and 29 aligned with the bend lines 8 and 9. The side wall 2l) and end portions 22 and 23 are provided with a bend line 3.9 spaced from and parallel with the side edge I8 to form a flange 3l and the side wall 2l and end portions 24 and 25 are provided with a bendline 32 parallel with the side edge IS of the blank to form a flange 33. The end portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the side walls are provided with a plurality of tangs 3&3 formed by arcuate cuts 35, said tangs being adapted for cooperation with slots 35 in the end members l5 and ll for assembly of the carrier. The end portions and side members are also provided with slits 3l for use in assembling the carrier as later described.

Formed in the bottom during the blanking operation are a plurality of circular embossed portions 38 forming seats for the bottles adapted to be received in the carrier. A rib 39 is arranged on the longitudinal center of the bottom 5 and ribs 43 are arranged transversely of the bottom substantially equally spaced from the circular portions. The ribs 39 and 45 are stamped upwardly in the bottom 5 during the blanking operation, whereby said ribs are positioned between bottles placed in the carrier and prevent the lower part of one bottle contacting another bottle during handling of the carrier. At the points of intersection of the longitudinal and transverse ribs are enlarged portions forming bosses 4l having flattened upper faces 42 adapted to align with the ends of the bail member as later described.

The side walls 2l] and 2l and end members I6 and ll are provided with centrally located apertures 43, the lower` edges of which are substantially on the bend lines 5, l. '8 and 9, the upper portions of said apertures being substantially arcuate, said apertures being substantially the same height in the walls as the height of the openings formed in the walls by the notches l0. Openings 44 are arranged in the bottom substantially at the center of the circular portions 38. Also apertures 45 are provided in the bottom 5 adjacent the corners formed by the longitudinal and transverse ribs and their points of intersection with the side and end walls. The transverse ribs 4l) extend beyond the bend lines 6 and l and terminate in spaced relation to said bend lines.

The body member is shaped by bending the flanges 3l and 33 upwardly and inwardly to fold same against the inner surface of the side and end portions forming a rounded upper edge thereon to provide a finished appearance. This structure also eliminates sharp edges and stiffens the sides and end portions to provide a suitable rigidity therein. The end members I6 and ll are bent upwardly on the bend lines 3 and 9 and the side members 2Q and 2l are bent upwardly on the bend lines 6 and l. The end portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 are Ialso bent upwardly whereby bending of the side members upwardly causes the end portions to overlie the end members l5 and il. The tangs 3s are turned inwardly and extend through the slots 35, said tangs being flattened against the inner surface of the end members, this flattening process pressing a portion of the end members into the openings formed in the end portions upon cutting and bending the tangs therefrom, forming interlocking portions which prevent any movement of the respective parts.

The top spacer 3 is cut from a, single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by a suitable die. The spacer consists of a, horizontal panel 45 substantially the same size as the bottom 5. The side edges of said spacer are turned upwardly as at il to form upwardly extending flanges 48 and 633, adapted to be inserted between the anges 3| and 33 and the inner faces ofthe respective side members and engage the inner surface of the bends 33 and 32 thereon. In the same manner, the end edges of the spacer are turned upwardly as at 50 to form upwardly extending ilanges 5| adapted to be inserted between the flanges at the upper edges of the end portions and engage the inner surface of the bend thereof.

The horizontal panel 46 is cut and formed to provide apertures 52 substantially in alignment with the embosses portions 38 in the bottom and are of suitable size for receiving and supporting bottles. The edges of the apertures 52 are turned downwardly to form flanges 53 to provide additional surface contact between the top spacer and the bottles received in the carrier. The edges of each of the apertures 52 are preferably provided with recesses 54 arranged substantially tangentially of the respective apertures and parallel with the sides and ends of the carrier. This structure provides four recesses for each aperture whereby spring ngers on automatic bottle case loaders may engage in said recesses to aid in guiding the bottles into the respective apertures, the recesses being of suitable width to accommodate the Width of the fingers.

The carrier is provided with a handle or bail formed of wire or the like of suitable size and stiffness to withstand longitudinal pressure on the members thereof without any bending. The bail consists of a bar member 55, the end of which is curved downwardly as at 55 forming substantially ogee curves and terminating in downwardly extending vertical members 5l. The members 5l are spaced substantially the same as the spacing between the bottle apertures 52 whereby said vertical members are slidably mounted in apertures 58 arranged on the longitudinal center of the top spacer 3 and equally spaced from the geometric center of said panel for equal distribution of weight on said bail, said apertures 53 also being in vertical alignment with the bosses 4l and the rib 39.

In order to provide additional support for the bail and top spacer, a reinforcing member 59 is secured thereto, said reinforcing member being formed of sheet metal and consisting of a horizontal wall Sil provided with upwardly extending flanges 3l, of suitable size to substantially lie between the anges 53 of the top spacer. The transversely extending portions of the reinforcing member located between the anges 53 substantially conforms in shape to the space between said flanges, the anges 6| preferably terminating substantially midway between the outer edges of the recesses 54 and the side walls 20 and 2l, the horizontal wall Si! being turned upwardly at the ends of the anges El, said end portions sloping upwardly and substantially engaging the bottom of the horizontal panel 46. The flanges 5l are shorter in height than the flanges 53 whereby the wall 5D is parallel with the panel 46 and is arranged abo-ve the lower edge 62 of the flanges 53, the edges 52 being turned inwardly to crimp the reinforcing member in place. The wall 56 of the reinforcing member is provided with apertures 53 in alignment with the apertures 58 and adapted to slidably mount the vertical members 51 of the bail. The apertures 58 and S3 are of such size that there is sliding engagement between said apertures and the vertical members 5l. To provide further support for the vertical members, the panel 46 and the wall 5i! are provided with upwardly and downwardly struck portions 64 and 55, respectively, substantially conical in shape whereby the apertures 58 :sentenciav 5 and v63 have greater -spaeing'than the panel 4S and wall 60, this -spaced engagement with the vertical member 51 providing adequate support f orthe ball.

The vertical members 51 of the bail are PrO- vided with washers 66 adjacent the lower end', said washers forming flanges adapted to be moved into engagement with the lower face of the downwardly struck portions 55 to support the Weight of the bottles and carriers when bein-g carried by the bails, said washers being retained adjacent the lower ends of the bail members 51 by deforming said lower ends as at 61. The vertical members 51 are of such length that when the washers 65 are in engagement with the downwardly struck portions 65 of the reinforcing member 59, the bar member 55 is above the caps of the bottles to provide suflicient clearance between said caps and the bar member for insertion of a hand of a person to permit the carrier to be transported without danger of scratching the hand or fingers on the tops of said bottles. The relationship of the length of the vertical members and other portions of the carrier is such that when the bail is moved downwardly in telescoped position the lower ends of the members 51 engage the top, fiat faces 42 of the bosses 4| and the bar 55 of the bail lies below the upper ends or caps of the bottles. The engagement of the end of the vertical members with the faces f 42 tends to maintain the lower ends of the vertical members 51 centered thereon when downward pressure is applied to the handles. The height of the bosses 4| and the bail is such that when the lower ends of the member 51 engage the faces 42 the bar member 55 is accurately positioned below the tops of the bottles in the carrier and in position for engagement with a suitable device on an automatic bottle case unloader to apply pressure to the bosses 4| holding the carrier down as bottles are removed by the unloading devices in the machine.

In assembling a carrier of parts constructed as described, the reinforcing member 59 is arranged between the flanges 53 of the top spacer 3 with the apertures 58 and 63 in alignment, the lower edges 62 of the flanges 53 are then crimped to anchor the reinforcing member in place. The vertical members 51 of the bail are then inserted in the apertures 58 and 63 and moved theref through and the washers 66 sleeved on the lower ends of said vertical members. The lower ends of said vertical members are then deformed as at G1. The reinforced top spacer is inserted between the side members 20 and 2| with the flanges 43 and 49 between the flanges 3| and 33 and the sides 20 and 2| as illustrated in Fig. 2, the upper edges of the flanges 48 and 49 engaging the bend portions 3|! and 32. Also the flanges 5| are inserted between the flanges at the upper edges of the end portions. The portions of the sides 20 and 2| and the portions of the end portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 immediately under the slits 31 are pressed inwardly whereby the upper edges of the inwardly depressed portions 68 form seats engaging the lower surface of the horizontal panel 46. Also the tangs 35 in the end portions are inserted through the slots 36 in the end members and flattened against the inner surface of the end members, this flattening process Elongated indentations 59 are formed in the sides 20 and 2| and the end portions 22, 23,'

24 and 25 between the slits 31 and the upper edges. The indentations also indent the flanges d8 and 5G and the flanges 3i and 33A as illustrated in Fig. 5, and indentations cooperating with the inwardly depressed portions 58 to se curely key the spacer 3 to the body member. This forms the completed carrier as illustrated in Fig. 1 adapted to carry a plurality of bottles of beverage, the particular carrier illustrated being adapted for six bottles. The dimensions of the respective parts of the carrier are such that the bottles are substantially engaged by the flanges 53 in the top spacer and the flanges 3| and 33 on the side and end portions of the side members, the lower portions of the bottles being held against contact by engagement with the ribs 39 and 40, the bottom of each bottle resting on the embossed portions 38 of the bottom 5.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a bottle holder and carrier of rigid structure, capable of holding a plurality of bottles which may be easily removed and inserted in said carrier and particularly adapted to flt in wooden cases for efficient use in automatic case unloaders and case loading machines, the telescopic bail and the associated carrier structure functioning with the case unloader machine to hold the carrier and facilitate the removal of the bottles. The bail also permits stacking of the carrier filled with bottles and provides eflicient transportation of the carrier and bottles without danger of striking the hand on said bottle.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, a bottom, end members integral with said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side menbers, and extending laterally thereof to overlie the end members, means securing said end member and end portions together, an upper spacer above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, upwardly directed flanges at sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folded anges on the upper edges of the side members and end portions thereof, said inwardly folded flanges overlying the flanges of the upper spacer, means in said flanges keying same together, and a bail for supporting the bottle carrier.

2. A bottle hol-der and carrier of the character .described including, a bottom, end members integral with said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side members, and extending laterally thereof to overlie the end members, means securing said end member and end portions together, an upper spacer above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, upwardly directed flanges at sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folding flanges on the upper edge of the said members and end portions thereof, said inwardly folded flanges overlying the flanges of the upper spacer, elongated indentations in said flanges keying same together, instruck portions in the side members and end portions engaging under the upper spacer for supporting same, and a bail for supporting the bottle carrier.

3. A bottle holder and carrier of the character 8 tally engaging bottles, upwardly directed anges at sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folded flanges on the upper edge of the side members and end portions thereof, said inwardly folded flanges overlying the flanges of the upper spacer, elongated indentations in said flanges keying same together, instruck portions in the Side members and end portions engaging under the upper spacer for supporting same, and a bail 10 for supporting the bottle carrier.

GRANT M. ACTON` No references cited. 

